There’s a break in the salmonella investigation – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says a jalapeno pepper grown in Mexico and processed in Texas has tested positive for the strain of salmonella that has made more than 1,200 people sick over the past few months. But the FDA stresses the case is not closed yet.
While finding the genetic match is important, authorities still don’t know where the pepper became tainted – did it happen on the farm in Mexico… in the plant in McAllen, Texas… or somewhere in between?
Just a few days ago, the FDA lifted its warning on tomatoes, saying it’s okay to eat them again. But investigators say tomatoes still may have caused some of the illnesses.
Because of this latest finding, the FDA says we should avoid eating fresh jalapeno and serrano peppers and foods made with fresh jalapenos. It’s okay to eat pickled and preserved jalapenos.
The outbreak isn’t over yet, but at least it seems to be slowing down – the CDC has confirmed just 14 cases since July 4.
What do you think of all this? Has it changed how you eat?
Nooooooooo! Not my Jalepenos! Tomatoes I could deal with but not my precious peppers! What next…garlic! Ugh!
I’m with Mark, what’s next? Any of you live in the Los Angeles area want to get together and grow our own garden? I’ll bring the seeds and the shovel! Now, where to find the land….
Well put, Mark. Yeah, it’s scary out there, isn’t it? Ummm… Cynthia – good luck finding that land in LA!